Upper Hand Releases 2016

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by cl3, Apr 6, 2016.

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  1. cl3

    cl3 Savant (1,244) Aug 16, 2013 Wisconsin
    Trader

    I think this brewery deserves it's own thread. They seem to be cranking out new beers at a pretty good clip and should only pick up steam with the expansion in the works. Really looking forward to trying a big ABV barleywine from this brewery.
    [​IMG]
    "Bold and brash with an ABV of 10%, Old Fighter is a tribute to the legendary Northern Pike. Eight hop varieties combine with seven different types of grain, including rye grown right here in the U.P., to offer assertive aromas and a full body.

    Old Fighter will be available in limited quantities on draught and in bottles throughout the U.P. and Northern Wisconsin beginning in mid-May, just in time for opening day of Northern Pike and Muskie fishing in the Upper Peninsula."
     
    #1 cl3, Apr 6, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2016
    Gemini6, archiebunkerjr, Tripel_Threat and 4 others like this.
  2. whatsleftofyou

    whatsleftofyou Zealot (666) Mar 12, 2006 Michigan

    Indeed. I'm excited for the all-Equinox DIPA as well. Hopefully some of this barleywine makes it into a few of their barrels!
     
    #2 whatsleftofyou, Apr 6, 2016
    cl3 likes this.
  3. red94tt

    red94tt Pundit (957) Nov 27, 2008 Michigan
    Trader

    Damn, I need this...
     
    #3 red94tt, Apr 7, 2016
  4. hopnado

    hopnado Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2014 Michigan

    For Christ's sake!...send this stuff to the lower hand!
     
    #4 hopnado, Apr 7, 2016
    Gemini6, Billydoughnuts, Tripel_Threat and 1 other person like this.
  5. Bud_Light

    Bud_Light Initiate (0) Apr 4, 2016 Michigan

    I always see Upper Hand but still have not bought any. Wish they could release Old Fighter right now, I leave the UP att he end of April... =(
     
    #5 Bud_Light, Apr 7, 2016
  6. Alphateam

    Alphateam Initiate (0) Mar 5, 2013 Michigan

    Whats the deal with them not coming down here?
     
    #6 Alphateam, Apr 7, 2016
    Gemini6 likes this.
  7. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I think it's as simple as Larry Bell wants to give something special back to the UP for the love of his special time that he spends up there.
     
    #7 PapaGoose03, Apr 7, 2016
    archiebunkerjr, Tripel_Threat, red94tt and 1 other person like this.
  8. red94tt

    red94tt Pundit (957) Nov 27, 2008 Michigan
    Trader

    Yea, as much as I'd like to crush some Escanaba Black Beer on a weekly basis, I kinda like how it doesn't make it's way down the bridge. It gives me another thing to crave when I'm in the mood for pasties and wilderness.

    I have an up north trip planned for early August but I don't know if I want to take a chance on a sixer still being around by then....might have to make a special trip or list an ISO
     
    #8 red94tt, Apr 7, 2016
    Gemini6, Tripel_Threat, cl3 and 1 other person like this.
  9. whatsleftofyou

    whatsleftofyou Zealot (666) Mar 12, 2006 Michigan

    I was fortunate enough to get a preview taste of Double Ringer last night. It didn't disappoint!
     
    #9 whatsleftofyou, Apr 10, 2016
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  10. Tripel_Threat

    Tripel_Threat Grand Pooh-Bah (4,302) Jun 29, 2014 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I really could use some UPA in my life. Any northern Michigan BAs happen story see any just south of the bridge anywhere? I can't make it to the UP this summer but I will be in the Traverse area, just curious if there's any "bootleg" places that have it.
     
    #10 Tripel_Threat, Apr 10, 2016
  11. whatsleftofyou

    whatsleftofyou Zealot (666) Mar 12, 2006 Michigan

    Old Fighter was released today, at least in Escanaba. I can tell you that it is delicious! Tons of rye character, and they must have done a lot of dry hopping. I'm anxious to see how this one ages.
     
    #11 whatsleftofyou, May 12, 2016
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  12. cl3

    cl3 Savant (1,244) Aug 16, 2013 Wisconsin
    Trader

    Where did you find it? I'll send my dad out to grab me a sixer.
     
    #12 cl3, May 12, 2016
  13. whatsleftofyou

    whatsleftofyou Zealot (666) Mar 12, 2006 Michigan

    I know at least Sav-Mor and Elmer's have it but I don't know the price point. I had it on draft yesterday at the release event, along with another taste of BA Baltic Porter. Good stuff.
     
    #13 whatsleftofyou, May 13, 2016
    cl3 likes this.
  14. whatsleftofyou

    whatsleftofyou Zealot (666) Mar 12, 2006 Michigan

    $14/6 at Sav-Mor
     
    #14 whatsleftofyou, May 14, 2016
  15. whatsleftofyou

    whatsleftofyou Zealot (666) Mar 12, 2006 Michigan

    According to their Facebook page, the taproom is opening to the public tomorrow. I've been there a few times for private events, and I'm anxious to see what kind of draw it creates.
     
    #15 whatsleftofyou, May 20, 2016
  16. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Hot Damn!! Another brewery taproom to visit. Unfortunately I do not have a trip to the UP is in the works for this year. :slight_frown:
     
    #16 PapaGoose03, May 20, 2016
  17. SteelCranium

    SteelCranium Crusader (425) Jul 1, 2010 Ohio

    Arrived in escanaba last week for the opener. Picked up various sixers from upper hand, including the fighter. Others (UPA, youper) had bottling dates in January. I guess the upper hand stuff doesn't move that well. Saw some four packs of KBS in the cooler - that was a first for me. Used to one bottle limits where I live. All were pretty good, but brews always taste better in the UP.
     
    #17 SteelCranium, May 21, 2016
  18. whatsleftofyou

    whatsleftofyou Zealot (666) Mar 12, 2006 Michigan

    Most things don't move that well here, be it UH, Blackrocks, Founders, Bell's, or even Ballast Point now. It has its pros (KBS and Short's Peachy Pom Pom still on the shelf months after release) and cons (watching IPA dates closely).
     
    #18 whatsleftofyou, May 21, 2016
    cl3 likes this.
  19. cl3

    cl3 Savant (1,244) Aug 16, 2013 Wisconsin
    Trader

    I made my first visit(s) to the taproom while back visiting family back in Esky. Double Ringer absolutely blew me away. It ranks way up there on my list of favorite DIPA's. There aren't many 10% beers that hide their alcohol content this well. Really hoping that there is still some on the shelf at my grocery store back in WI, when I get back home to WI. Great summer beer.
     
    #19 cl3, Jul 3, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2016
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  20. Tripel_Threat

    Tripel_Threat Grand Pooh-Bah (4,302) Jun 29, 2014 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I may have found the leverage to convince my wife to move up north.
    Has anyone heard if UH is considering sending any kegs South of the bridge? Maybe for special events?
     
    #20 Tripel_Threat, Jul 3, 2016
    cl3 likes this.
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